How to take a laxative before having a colonoscopy?

3 Comments

1. Kara says:

   November 5, 2009 at 4:37 pm

   If you can swallow smaller pills ducolax works WONDERS and when I had my colonoscopy I took 2 and it was …. well… for lack of better words… "smooth sailing" from there! If you can’t I am sure your local pharmacy has laxatives that are in liquid form, ask the pharmacist!
2. Yosemite Sue says:

   November 5, 2009 at 4:37 pm

   Do not use anything over the counter prior to a Colonoscopy procedure. I did the prep with PEG-3350 & ELECTROLYTES. Had to drink 8 oz every 20 minutes. Took 2 1/2 hrs to start to work. I’m much older than you, this was to be my 1st Colonoscopy. I would recommend strongly you have a discussion with your doctor..This prep is to totally empty your colon. I ended up with a blood pressure that was too high, shortness of breath, rapid heart rate and calling 911 and being driven to the emergency dept. I was told by the ER doctor that I’m not the first person to come in after taking that prep. It is loaded with 3 diff. kinds of sodium. I too had a hard time swallowing it..I was gagging…drank all but the last 1/4 of it. The most important thing I can tell you is to TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR. Do not think that Ducolax or anything of that nature will empty your colon as needed for this procedure. Good luck, I’m sorry at your age you have to have this procedure. I’m told by many that the prep is far worse than the procedure. So good luck to you!
3. Emily says:

   November 5, 2009 at 4:37 pm

   DO NOT take stool softeners. drink the stuff the doctor prescribed and quit being such a baby.